Owner Bjorn Nielsen admits it is unlikely Stradivarius will head to Ascot for QIPCO British Champions Day later this month, following his defeat to Trueshan in the Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp. 

The long awaited head-to-head between staying giants Stradivarius and Trueshan finally took place during Saturday's Group One feature in France, and it was the latter who prevailed by four and a half lengths for trainer Alan King on his preferred soft ground. 

Stradivarius had been travelling well and was level with Trueshan heading into the final furlong under the guidance of jockey Frankie Dettori, but conditions ultimately did not suit John and Thady Gosden's chestnut colt. 

Nielsen certainly had no complaints about the outcome, and with conditions expected to be similar for Champions Day in two weeks' time, he does not feel Stradivarius will be heading to Ascot for a run in the British Champions Long Distance Cup - a race he previously won in 2018. 

"We got beaten by a better horse on the day, but he ran a great race," Nielsen told reporters. "I've got to speak to John (Gosden), but I'd say he probably won't (run at Ascot). It's two weeks away and he's had a hard race today. 

"You're guaranteed the ground is going to be on the soft side at Ascot. Champions Day is probably the one place he's done poorest at because of the ground." 

There are also doubts as to whether Stradivarius will return to action at all next season, with Nielsen acknowledging he has a lot to think about, as the prolific seven-year-old's best days are perhaps now behind him. 

On whether Stradivarius will return next season, Nielsen added: "I don't know. I've got to speak to John and Thady and see what they think. 

"He's been going a long time and was so dominant in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Age will get to you eventually and he is obviously not as dominant as he once was. You have to think about it and relax and take it all in.

"I don't want him to be like an old boxer who still thinks he can carry on. I don't want to say 'yeah we'll carry on, he's running well and we've got excuses because of the ground'. At some stage you have to draw stumps and say 'he isn't what he was'. 

"I'm not saying that's where we are today, but that day is going to come for every horse and it is obviously getting closer."